Salisbury center
5 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA 01952
Living in Salisbury, Massachusetts
Salisbury is the northernmost town in Massachusetts, sitting on the Atlantic coast where the Merrimack River meets the ocean, across from Newburyport. English settlers arrived in 1638 and the town was incorporated in 1639. It has about five miles of Atlantic coastline and extensive salt marshes, and Beach Road's construction in 1866 launched Salisbury Beach's history as a seaside resort area.
Salisbury at a glance
- $9.93Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,126Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 5-10 minDrive to Newburyport
- EssexCounty
Salisbury's villages and zip codes
Salisbury uses a single ZIP code, 01952, shared across its village sections.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury center | 01952 | Along Route 1 near Town Hall, inland from the beach. |
| Salisbury Beach | 01952 | The town's oceanfront section, with the beach reservation, boardwalk, and amusement-era businesses along the coast. |
| Salisbury Plains | 01952 | An inland residential section of town. |
Things to do in Salisbury, MA
Start with Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Salisbury Beach boardwalk, then 1 more below.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
A state park covering the town's Atlantic coastline with a beach, campground, and boardwalk area, on the north bank of the Merrimack River's mouth.
Beach Road, Salisbury, MA
Salisbury Beach boardwalk
A seaside strip that grew from Beach Road's 1866 construction into a resort district, historically home to amusement rides including a 1914 carousel installed by Charles I. D. Looff.
Salisbury Beach, MA
Ram Island and Carr Island Wildlife Management Areas
State-managed wildlife areas in Salisbury's salt marshes, used for wildlife observation and hunting in season.
Salisbury, MA
More worth a visit
- Blue Ocean Music HallA music venue at Salisbury Beach hosting concerts.
A little history
English settlers colonized the area in 1638 and the town was incorporated as Salisbury in 1639.
The construction of Beach Road in 1866 opened Salisbury Beach to development as a seaside resort.
A carousel known as 'The Flying Horses' was installed at Salisbury Beach in 1914 by carousel maker Charles I. D. Looff.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Salisbury
Salisbury's outdoor recreation is built around its Atlantic coastline, the mouth of the Merrimack River, and its salt marshes.
- Salisbury Beach State ReservationBeach, dunes, and a campground along the town's ocean frontage.
- Ram Island Wildlife Management AreaSalt-marsh habitat used for wildlife viewing and hunting in season.
- Merrimack River mouthThe river meets the Atlantic at Salisbury's southern tip, used for boating and fishing.
Where to eat in Salisbury: restaurants and coffee
1 places in Salisbury to try, including diner. No one paid to be listed.
Ann's Diner
Diner
A diner in Salisbury near the beach area.
Salisbury, MA
Walkability and getting around Salisbury
The Salisbury Beach boardwalk area is walkable in season, but most of the town, including Salisbury Plains and the area around Town Hall, is built around driving.
Drive times
- Newburyport, about 3 miles5-10 min
- Logan International Airport, about 45 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) runs bus service in Salisbury. The town has no train station of its own; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail station, on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, is in Newburyport.
Salisbury property taxes
Salisbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $993 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,126, on an average assessed value of $616,951.
Salisbury's FY2026 tax rates
$9.93per $1,000, residential
- Residential$9.93 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$616,951
- Average single-family tax bill$6,126
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $11.14 |
| FY2023 | $10.80 |
| FY2024 | $10.45 |
| FY2025 | $10.08 |
| FY2026 | $9.93 |
Look up a Salisbury property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 978-465-8242
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Salisbury
What we check on a Salisbury purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, coastal flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Salisbury sits at the mouth of the Merrimack River with about five miles of Atlantic coastline and extensive salt marshes, putting Salisbury Beach and marsh-adjacent areas within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SalisburySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Salisbury Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 978-465-3631 to schedule.
Salisbury Fire Department pageMassachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. The Salisbury Fire Department handles these inspections.
Salisbury Fire DepartmentCheck FEMA flood maps near Salisbury Beach
Salisbury Beach and marsh-adjacent properties sit within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones due to the town's Atlantic frontage and Merrimack River mouth. We check the flood map and flood insurance requirements before you make an offer near the coast.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Salisbury?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Salisbury address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Salisbury: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Salisbury: National Grid for power.
- ElectricNational Grid
- WaterSalisbury Water Department
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Town Hall offices and contacts
Salisbury Town Hall is at 5 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA 01952. Hours: Mon 8:30am-6pm; Tue-Thu 8:30am-4pm; Fri 8:30am-1pm. Main line: 978-462-8232.
- Town HallMain line and website978-462-8232
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.978-462-7591
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.978-465-8242
- Treasurer/Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.978-465-0331
- Inspection ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.978-462-7839
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.978-462-8232 ext. 104
- Parks & Recreation CommissionTown parks and recreation programs.978-462-8232 ext. 128
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, and trash/recycling.978-462-7611
- Salisbury Public LibraryThe town's public library.978-465-5071
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits978-462-8232 ext. 122
Salisbury, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Salisbury, MA?
Salisbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $9.93 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Salisbury?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,972 a year at $9.93 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Salisbury have a split tax rate?
No. Salisbury uses a single rate of $9.93 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Salisbury?
The average single-family tax bill in Salisbury was $6,126 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $616,951.
What ZIP code does Salisbury use?
Salisbury uses a single ZIP code, 01952.
Who supplies electricity in Salisbury?
National Grid provides electric service in Salisbury.
Is there public transit in Salisbury?
The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) runs bus service in town. The nearest MBTA Commuter Rail station is in Newburyport.
How far is Salisbury from Newburyport?
Salisbury is about 3 miles from Newburyport, across the Merrimack River.
Does Salisbury border New Hampshire?
Yes. Salisbury borders Seabrook and South Hampton, New Hampshire, to the north.
Towns near Salisbury
Neighbors of Salisbury, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Salisbury, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Salisbury official website: salisburyma.gov
- Salisbury, MA Directory: salisburyma.gov
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Checked September 25, 2026.